If you're looking to make a difference in someone's life, Wildwood Programs is the place to do it. We're flexible, family oriented, and have positions to fit anyone's needs.

Wildwood Programs is hosting an open interview session on Monday December 18th from 3pm-6pm at 1190 Troy Schenectady Rd Latham NY 12110. Come learn about Wildwood Programs first hand from our staff and interview for one of our open positions. Please view flyer to view different positions we will be interviewing for.

Come discuss and learn about helping your loved one (or yourself) through grief and loss. We will talk about anticipatory "pre" grief, current losses and recovery. The seminar is participatory and will also include helpful stress management techniques.

Home, Housing and Community Opportunities

Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Presented by: Anne Murphy, LMSW, Director of Housing and Development

Anne Murphy, Wildwood Programs Director of Home and Housing Development, will discuss the types of residential and home supports available, how to access services through the “Front Door”, and the new continuum of services that are available through OPWDD, which range from traditional agency-led supports to self-directed supports. Information will be provided on the benefits of partnership between family, individual and service provider and the advantages of a Circle of Support. Anne is well versed in environmental modifications and assistive technology and can offer suggestions about securing funding and practical uses of technology in the home. Please contact Anne Murphy at amurphy@wildwoodprograms.org if you have specific topics that you’d like her to address during this workshop.

I am the communications director for an organization that provides supports for people with disabilities. One of the biggest challenges to my communication work is referring to the people we support in the written and spoken word. Many of my efforts are directed to the general public—not people who work in the same field I do—and the vocabulary of our field often leaves them confused.

Over the years, as most of you are aware, there have been different terms used to describe the people who receive supports from our organization. Many, many years ago, words that were initially used as descriptive terms came to be seen as hurtful and disrespectful. Most people are surprised to hear that terms like “Feeble-minded,” “Moron,” and “Idiot,” were not vocabulary designed for insults but to describe people with disabilities. Later “Mental Retardation,” was used clinically and from that the shortened and derisive term “retard” originated.

The term “Client” evolved as a more respectful choice and was later replaced with the term “Consumer.” Consumer was preferred because a “consumer” chooses services and supports and therefore it was believed it connoted power and respect. Over time, some would argue that the term “consumer” merely became yet another label.

The term “Developmental Disability” is preferred by many, but in 2013, the Social Security Administration officially replaced that with “Intellectual Disability.” Many argue that “Intellectual Disability” is unclear because by definition it would apply to people with Alzheimers Disease, Mental Illness and Traumatic Brian Injuries.